replacement therapy

therapy /ther·a·py/ (-pe) the treatment of disease; see also treatment.

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ablation therapy  the destruction of small areas of myocardial tissue, usually by application of electrical or chemical energy, in the treatment of some tachyarrhythmias.

adjuvant therapy  the use of chemotherapy or radiotherapy in addition to surgical resection in the treatment of cancer.

antiplatelet therapy  the use of platelet-modifying agents to inhibit platelet adhesion or aggregation and so prevent thrombosis, alter the course of atherosclerosis, or prolong vascular graft patency.

art therapy  the use of art, the creative process, and patient response to the products created for the treatment of psychiatric and psychologic conditions and for rehabilitation.

aversion therapy , aversive therapy that using aversive conditioning to reduce or eliminate undesirable behavior or symptoms; sometimes used synonymously with aversive conditioning.

behavior therapy  a therapeutic approach that focuses on modifying the patient's observable behavior, rather than on the conflicts and unconscious processes presumed to underlie the behavior.

biological therapy  treatment of disease by injection of substances that produce a biological reaction in the organism.

chelation therapy  the use of a chelating agent to remove toxic metals from the body, used in the treatment of heavy metal poisoning. In complementary medicine, also used for the treatment of atherosclerosis and other disorders.

cognitive therapy , cognitive-behavioral therapy that based on the theory that emotional problems result from distorted attitudes and ways of thinking that can be corrected, the therapist guiding the patient to do so.

convulsive therapy  treatment of mental disorders, primarily depression, by induction of convulsions; now it is virtually always by electric shock (electroconvulsive t.) .

couples therapy  marital t.

dance therapy  the therapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual in the treatment of a variety of social, emotional, cognitive, and physical disorders.

electroconvulsive therapy  (ECT) a treatment for mental disorders, primarily depression, in which convulsions and loss of consciousness are induced by application of brief pulses of low-voltage alternating current to the brain via scalp electrodes.

electroshock therapy  (EST) electroconvulsive t.

endocrine therapy  treatment of disease by the use of hormones.

estrogen replacement therapy  administration of an estrogen to treat estrogen deficiency, as that following menopause; in women with a uterus, a progestational agent is usually included to prevent endometrial hyperplasia.

enzyme therapy  in complementary medicine, the oral administration of proteolytic enzymes to improve immune system function; used for a wide variety of disorders and as adjunctive therapy in cancer treatment.

family therapy  group therapy of the members of a family, exploring and improving family relationships and processes and thus the mental health of the collective unit and of individual members.

fibrinolytic therapy  the use of fibrinolytic agents (e.g., prourokinase) to lyse thrombi in patients with acute peripheral arterial occlusion, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or acute myocardial infarction.

gene therapy  manipulation of the genome of an individual to prevent, mask, or lessen the effects of a genetic disorder.

group therapy  psychotherapy carried out regularly with a group of patients under the guidance of a group leader, usually a therapist.

highly active antiretroviral therapy  (HAART) the aggressive use of extremely potent antiretroviral agents in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

hormonal therapy , hormone therapy endocrine t.

hormone replacement therapy  the administration of hormones to correct a deficiency, such as postmenopausal estrogen replacement ttherapy.

immunosuppressive therapy  treatment with agents, such as x-rays, corticosteroids, or cytotoxic chemicals, that suppress the immune response to antigen(s); used in conditions such as organ transplantation, autoimmune disease, allergy, multiple myeloma, and chronic nephritis.

inhalation therapy  former name for respiratory care (2).

light therapy 

1. phototherapy (def. 1).

2. photodynamic t.

marital therapy  a type of family therapy aimed at understanding and treating one or both members of a couple in the context of a distressed relationship, but not necessarily addressing the discordant relationship itself; sometimes used more restrictively as a synonym of marriage therapy .

marriage therapy  a subset of marital therapy (q.v.) that focuses specifically on the bond of marriage between two people, enhancing and preserving it.

massage therapy  the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing them, thereby enhancing health and healing.

milieu therapy  treatment, usually in a psychiatric hospital, that emphasizes the provision of an environment and activities appropriate to the patient's emotional and interpersonal needs.

music therapy  the use of music to effect positive changes in the psychological, physical, cognitive, or social functioning of individuals with health or educational problems.

occupational therapy  the therapeutic use of self-care, work, and play activities to increase function, enhance development, and prevent disabilities.

oral rehydration therapy  (ORT) oral administration of a solution of electrolytes and carbohydrates in the treatment of dehydration.

orthomolecular therapy  treatment of disease based on the theory that restoration of optimal concentrations of substances normally present in the body, such as vitamins, trace elements, and amino acids, will effect a cure.

photodynamic therapy  intravenous administration of hematoporphyrin derivative, which concentrates selectively in metabolically active tumor tissue, followed by exposure of the tumor tissue to red laser light to produce cytotoxic free radicals that destroy hematoporphyrin-containing tissue.

physical therapy 

1. treatment by physical means.

2. the health profession concerned with the promotion of health, the prevention of disability, and the evaluation and rehabilitation of patients disabled by pain, disease, or injury, and with treatment by physical therapeutic measures as opposed to medical, surgical, or radiologic measures.

poetry therapy  a form of bibliotherapy in which a selected poem, which may be created by the patient, is used to evoke feelings and responses for discussion in a therapeutic setting.

PUVA therapy  a form of photochemotherapy for skin disorders such as psoriasis and vitiligo; oral psoralen administration is followed two hours later by exposure to ultraviolet light.

radiation therapy  radiotherapy.

relaxation therapy  any of a number of techniques for inducing the relaxation response, used for the reduction of stress; useful in the management of a wide variety of chronic illnesses caused or exacerbated by stress.

replacement therapy 

1. treatment to replace deficiencies in body products by administration of natural or synthetic substitutes.

2. treatment that replaces or compensates for a nonfunctioning organ, e.g., hemodialysis.

respiratory therapy  see under care.

substitution therapy  the administration of a hormone to compensate for glandular deficiency.

thrombolytic therapy  fibrinolytic t.

thyroid replacement therapy  treatment with a preparation of a thyroid hormone.

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re·place·ment therapy (r-plsmnt)

n.

Therapy designed to compensate for a lack or deficiency arising from inadequate nutrition, from certain dysfunctions, or from losses, as by the administration of natural or synthetic substances.

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replacement therapy,

1 the use of a medicinal product to replace a natural hormone or enzyme that the body is no longer able to produce in sufficient amounts.

2 a psychotherapeutic technique of replacing abnormal behavior with healthy, constructive activities.

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therapy (ther´pē),

n the treatment of disease, injury, or illness.

therapy, antibiotic,

n the treatment of disease states by the local or systemic administration of antibodies.

therapy, antimicrobial,

n a treatment modality that attacks the microorganisms responsible for a specific disease or condition.

therapy, chlorhexidine chip,

n controlled delivery of the antimicrobial agent chlorhexidine in which a tiny, biodegradable dose of the drug is inserted into the periodontal pocket, where it continues to slowly release medication for approximately 7 to 10 days before disintegrating. This therapy is a means of attacking periodontal infection at its source without systemic involvement.

therapy, compromise periodontal maintenance,

n a program of continuing periodontal treatment designed to slow disease progression in patients for whom surgery is not an option because of specific health concerns or economic restrictions.

therapy, doxycycline polymer,

n delivery via syringe and cannula of a biodegradable liquid form of the antimicrobial agent doxycycline polymer directly into a periodontal pocket. The medication hardens upon contact with moisture, thus sealing the pocket and allowing the agent to destroy periodontal pathogens as it dissolves.

therapy, growth modification,

n a treatment employed to modify the growth of the jaw or other bones as they are still developing, usually to treat cases of malocclusion.

therapy, hormonal replacement,

n the administration of synthetic female hormones in order to ease the negative impacts of losing these hormones due to menopause, hysterectomy, or disease.

therapy, indirect pulpal,

n the application of a drug that heals the pulpal cells beneath a layer of sound or carious dentin, as in a moderately deep preparation for a restoration.

therapy, megavoltage radiation,

n a form of radiation therapy used in the treatment of oral cancer. It delivers a more precise point of contact than other forms.

therapy, myofunctional (myotherapeutic exercises),

n the use of muscle exercises as an adjunct to mechanical correction of malocclusion.

therapy, oxygen,

n the providing of additional oxygen for patients who need it.

therapy, periodontal,

n the treatment of the periodontal lesion. Such therapy has two principal objectives: the eradication or arrest of the periodontal lesion with correction or cure of the deformity created by it, and the alteration in the oral cavity of the periodontal climate that was conducive or contributory to the periodontal breakdown.

therapy, periodontal, maintenance phase,

n the part of periodontal therapy that is necessary for the preservation of the results obtained during active therapy and for the prevention of further periodontal disease; an extension of active periodontal therapy, requiring the combined efforts of both the periodontist and the patient.

therapy, pharmacotherapeutic nonsurgical pocket

n the use of both systemic and topical antibiotic compounds to fight bacterial infections in periodontal pockets.

therapy, pocket,

n the debridement or removal of deposits and endotoxins from the periodontal pocket in order to begin the healing process.

therapy, pulp canal,

n See endodontology.

therapy putty,

n a malleable, doughlike substance used in hand exercises to enhance the force and control of the hand muscles.

therapy, radiation (radiotherapy),

n the treatment of disease with a type of radiation.

therapy, radiation, external beam,

n a treatment for cancer in which a beam of high- or low-yield radiation is directed from outside the body at the site of the cancerous tumor or lesion; may cause unnecessary radiation to normal tissues.

therapy, radiation, internal,

n a treatment for cancer in which the radiation source takes the form of an interstitial implant. It is placed in the body among the affected tissues to provide a directed dose of radiation that is not possible using external methods.

therapy, radiation, orthovoltage,

n a form of cancer treatment in which a beam of low-yield radiation is directed from outside the body at a superficial lesion, such as those found in the oral cavity or on the lips.

therapy, radiation, supervoltage,

n See therapy, radiation, megavoltage.

therapy, replacement,

n the administration, as a therapeutic agent, of an essential constituent in which the body is deficient (e.g., insulin in diabetes mellitus).

therapy, root canal,

n See endodontology.

therapy, speech,

n the science that deals with the use of procedures, training, and remedies for the cure, alleviation, or prevention of speech disorders.

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therapy

the treatment of disease; therapeutics. See also treatment.

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animal-assisted therapy

the treatment of humans, usually for mental or psychological illness, which incorporates familiarization with a companion or pleasure animal. Called also pet-facilitated or pet-assisted therapy. See also animal facilitated therapy.

anticoagulant therapy

the use of drugs to render the blood sufficiently incoagulable to discourage thrombosis.

heat therapy

see hyperthermia (2).

immunosuppressive therapy

treatment with agents, such as x-rays, corticosteroids and cytotoxic chemicals, which suppress the immune response to antigen(s); used in organ transplantation, autoimmune disease, allergy, multiple myeloma, etc.

inhalation therapy

see aerosol.

neoadjuvant therapy

given before the primary treatment, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy.

oxygen therapy

the administration of supplemental oxygen to relieve hypoxemia and prevent damage to the tissue cells as a result of oxygen lack (hypoxia). See also oxygen therapy.

physical therapy

use of physical agents and methods in rehabilitation and restoration of normal bodily function after illness or injury; it includes massage and manipulation, therapeutic exercises, hydrotherapy, and various forms of energy (electrotherapy, actinotherapy and ultrasound). See also physical therapist.

radiation therapy

treatment of disease by means of ionizing radiation. See also radiotherapy.

replacement therapy

treatment to replace deficient formation or loss of body products by administration of the natural body products or synthetic substitutes.

serum therapy

serotherapy; treatment of disease by injection of serum from immune animals.

substitution therapy

the administration of a hormone to compensate for glandular deficiency.

vaporization therapy

see aerosol.